Random fashion thoughts - Page 5026

I also like the concept of minimalism, but I get frustrated when millionaires begin preaching that "all you need is love" (or 400 square feet). It's an appealing idea, and it's hard to argue against from an ecological standpoint, BUT I'm suspicious of minimalism's supposed status as a panacea for the ills of consumerism. Quite often it seems to be couched in an unacknowledged assumption that you can defer or relocate your sites of consumption. For example, in this article, this gentleman talks about how he spends much of his money on travel, how he likes to throw large dinner parties, etc. Are these just different ways - which are largely inaccessible to people of lower socioeconomic status - in which consumption is instantiated?
I cleaned and organized my bookshelves the other day, and, perversely, it may be the happiest I've been in months. Maybe Mr. Hill feels happier now, because his modes of consumption are not just monetary transactions (buying/selling), but are now also transactions of time, emotional content, etc. ("doing")

I agree with minimalism but 400 sq ft is ridiculous, I'm quite happy with a 1000 sq ft studio.

no idea as to the size of my apartment (probably 300 or 400 sq. ft.) but as long as I live alone I can't imagine ever needing more space. sometimes I even feel this apartment is too big.

I looked at some ~2k sq ft homes today and they felt small.

I've got 215 sq ft, plus a community kitchen.

you also have a family

Well yeah... (however, I know plenty of people with families who live in 800 sq ft. apartments and make it work). I didn't read article.

However, space is often wasted. 2k sq ft can feel very small while 1200-1300 sq ft can feel spacious based on the layout, etc. It's all about perspective.

My 1500 sq. ft. house as a single male is quite spacious. I could foresee wanting more space if I had kids, but that's mostly because I don't like them and would prefer to be able to get away.

good posts guys, that's why i've been feeling that way about all the things I've amassed and have refined my habits

ps that dunk was redunkulous, la baby la

Don't have kids, for their sake. Unless you're kidding.

Half joking. I don't particularly feel the need to have children though, so it seems easier to just avoid the situation entirely.

Do what makes you happy.

Hadn't checked yoox in a few days and a bunch of stuff from my dream box sold out. Surprisingly relieved....

I suppose I'm minimalist in the sense that I don't like buying/keeping things that have no use or value. That said, the author of the article seems to practice consumerism of a different variety rather than completely abandon the concept. Affluence permits wants in addition to needs; no ones needs a 5000 sq ft house, but no one needs to travel the globe, either. The line he draws seems arbitrary, and more colored by his personal ambivalence to clutter than the actual idea of consumerism.

Indeed, he never said anything about spending less money, he just thinks that what he spends his money on is better than what most other people spend their money on. (He is also plugging his latest business venture, presumably so he can earn more money to spend on the things he enjoys.)

"If money doesn't make you happy, then you probably aren't spending it right"

Elizabeth W. Dunn, Daniel T. Gilbert, Timothy D. Wilson
Journal of Consumer Psychology 21 (2011) 115–125

Abstract
The relationship between money and happiness is surprisingly weak, which may stem in part from the way people spend it. Drawing on
empirical research, we propose eight principles designed to help consumers get more happiness for their money. Specifically, we suggest that
consumers should (1) buy more experiences and fewer material goods; (2) use their money to benefit others rather than themselves; (3) buy many
small pleasures rather than fewer large ones; (4) eschew extended warranties and other forms of overpriced insurance; (5) delay consumption;
(6) consider how peripheral features of their purchases may affect their day-to-day lives; (7) beware of comparison shopping; and (8) pay close
attention to the happiness of others.